The demand for food support continues to grow each week to around 650

Families are writing and ringing in through the night and early hours of the morning. The foodboxes provided are valued at $120 each and are personally delivered to their front doors by the strong team of around 30 Vinnies volunteer drivers. We are fortunate to have the assistance of Kiwharvest and Auckland Citymission food donations that allow us to supplement the foodboxes with extra food to cut costs and allow the re-allocation of money to the purchase of more bulk food supplies in.

We are grateful for the Auckland Catjolic Diocese for their monetary support and also to MSD for supplementing some our Foodbank costs. To date Auckland Vinnies have delivered food to over 1,500 families struggling as a result of the COVID-19 Lockdown. We know that in the weeks to come this number will only increase as people live into unemployment , social isolation, and the temporary closing of many social services support networks. there is also the increase of domestic violence and the increase of stress, anxiety and the break down of  mental health.

March Highlights

We Are in This Together

As the lockdown continues amidst the global pandemic caused by covid-19, families are balancing the roles of helping to prevent disease transmission whilst also ensuring there is enough food to put on the table. A number of foodbanks run by various non-for profit collectives have closed across the country since the lockdown announcement. Foodbanks such as those operated by Auckland Society of St Vincent de Paul branches have been working overtime to keep families fed during the covid-19 pandemic. In response to this, a number of young adults have stepped up to offer any support they can. In anticipation of the growing need within the community, bulk chillers and freezers were connected and made ready for the incoming bulk food for the Vinnies foodbank. Between receiving stock, organising the foodbank and preparing logistics, these men and women would find time to fill in foodparcel requests for the Auck CBD, wider community areas as well as family lists from Social workers.

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 The realities of the covid-19 have been realised none more so than in our communities. Amidst calls to ensure the health and safety of families across the country, food has become even more important as both comfort and source of nutrition during this time of grief and healing. The unfolding of the lockdown has since called into question how Aotearoa as a nation might be able to ward off a food crisis that is pandemic-related. In response to this, young adults have been operating Foodbank Satellites from their homes all over Auckland. The bulk stock is dropped off to their homes and they are given lists of deliveries in their local area. Within the last few weeks alone there has been a steep surge in requests coming in from families needing support. This has meant an increase of teams and added precautions around social distancing, hand washing, sanitizing and sterilizing. The team of staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to process orders and pack boxes to meet the demand.

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Health and wellbeing is influenced heavily by what and how we eat. The ability to consume food that is nutritional and accessible has become undermined by the intertwining of numerous realities. The reality for many families is that job security has been shaken, and in some cases rendered absent altogether. There are utility payments that still need to be paid. There are growing health care needs amongst those who live in homes with poor insulation. There are those who have isolated themselves in sickness with little to no access to support. While food is a significant need, many families have sorely missed the opportunities for face to face conversations or having someone there to hear their story.

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The Auckland Vinnies team recognise that now, more than ever, solidarity, compassion and prayers will be what builds resilience against food insecurity. It is well known amongst the staff and volunteers of SVdP that upholding dignity through meaningful relationships will be key to ensuring that families do not go without during their time of need.

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Feed A Family – The Team in Action

Supporting families during this time would not be possible without the compassion and determination of the SVdP volunteers and staff. From handling referals, to packing/restocking and deliveries, these men and women have helped ensure the community feels held and safe.

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Feed A Family

Feed A Family is programme facilitated by the Auckland St Vincent de Paul Centre in Newton that seeks to raise awareness and respond to Food Insecurity.

The programme has differing components and services such as:

1. Kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) and building trust as well as connections with those seeking support and with local advocates.

2. Response: Understanding, advocacy and referral. Support is achieved through practical help and the provision of food boxes which include nutritious cooked meals.

3. Building of Relationships: with those seeking support, other social service providers, school communities, local parishes and donors.

4. Education and Awareness: Sharing the stories and factual information in colleges, church communities and local communities through presentations and mulitmedia.

5. Fundraising and sponsorship:  Winter and Christmas Appeals to support families in need.

6. Feed A Family youth food projects: Launching of canned food collections, Cooking projects etc.

Each of these services and opportunities to assist are offered in the hope of bringing our communities closer together, as we are reminded by the Gospels that we are also called to God through our care of one another.

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Feed A Family – Pandemic Response

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a steep surge in requests arising from families needing support.

The Vinnies Covid-19 Response team have heard and seen first-hand some of the extreme impoverished situations that people are facing since the Covid-19 Lockdown. The response team have connected with hundreds of vulnerable, struggling families and individuals over the past two weeks. One in particular shared:

“It was a real eye opener dropping off food to a tent in the middle of a deserted car lot… I dropped off 3 parcels to one address, I was confused and thinking someone was trying to take advantage of the free food. Boy was I wrong! I was really wrong. One foodbox went to the basement where the grandmother was isolating with a teenager, one to the back shed where a older siblings teenagers and babies were, and the last to the carport tent where the dad was. It was cold, there was not enough blankets and beds. They had a makeshift cooking arrangment outside that did not look safe. They were all trying to isolate and were quite stressed because nappies and formula had run out and their wasn’t enough food. Thank God their neighbour who had phone credit rang on their behalf…”

NOTE: SVdP has since referred these families to Social services to be housed and they are being moved into more suitable accomodation. The SVdP response team will continue to support them with food, other resources and connect in with them regularly.

As the SVdP response team continues to support families in need, they are mindful that they cannot do it alone. We have heard your enquiries about practical ways to support us, and have outlined below the best ways how:

1) Monetary Donations
Soc of St Vincent De Paul AK 12-3017-0500224-00
Particulars: Your last name
Reference: Covid-19

2) Countdown or Pak’n Save vouchers

To request a tax receipt please email:
feedafamily@stvinnies.co.nz

For any enquiries please email:
del@stvinnies.co.nz

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March Highlights

Reflecting, Serving & Connecting

At the beginning of this school term, students from across Auckland put their hands up and said ‘YES’ to upholding the dignity of their community members through meaningful service. In many cases they mobilised their peers and wider student body, engaging in challenging conversations around food insecurity, homelessness, incarceration and social exclusion.

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Prior to the lockdown, a number of schools took their learning to the next level and partipated in bulk cooking programmes for families in need. This entailed preparing large amounts of nutritionous meals to accompany food parcels for families and individuals in need. The colleges of De La Salle, Rosmini and Carmel were among the first to begin this work of service, contributing a significant amount of time aside from their studies to ensure less people go hungry.

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  Rosmini & Carmel College

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  De La Salle College

The students of Baradene College also sought to make a difference for families; organising a school wide food drive. Over $5,000 worth of non perishable food items were donated. Prior to the lockdown, this provided a much needed boost for foodbanks across Auckland.

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Each of these works of service proved immensely pivotal with getting students connected to their communities. Amidst the realities of the current Covid-19 lockdown, these young men and women were able to faithfully support those struggling to make ends meet. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to serve left an impression on the Auckland Vinnies team, who have continued the journey of service up to now.

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We Are in This Together

As the lockdown continues amidst the global pandemic caused by covid-19, families are balancing the roles of helping to prevent disease transmission whilst also ensuring there is enough food to put on the table. A number of foodbanks run by various non-for profit collectives have closed across the country since the lockdown announcement. Foodbanks such as those operated by Auckland Society of St Vincent de Paul branches have been working overtime to keep families fed during the covid-19 pandemic. In response to this, a number of young adults have stepped up to offer any support they can. In anticipation of the growing need within the community, bulk chillers and freezers were connected and made ready for the incoming bulk food for the Vinnies foodbank. Between receiving stock, organising the foodbank and preparing logistics, these men and women would find time to fill in foodparcel requests for the Auck CBD, wider community areas as well as family lists from Social workers.

• 

• 

• 

• 

 The realities of the covid-19 have been realised none more so than in our communities. Amidst calls to ensure the health and safety of families across the country, food has become even more important as both comfort and source of nutrition during this time of grief and healing. The unfolding of the lockdown has since called into question how Aotearoa as a nation might be able to ward off a food crisis that is pandemic-related. In response to this, young adults have been operating Foodbank Satellites from their homes all over Auckland. The bulk stock is dropped off to their homes and they are given lists of deliveries in their local area. Within the last few weeks alone there has been a steep surge in requests coming in from families needing support. This has meant an increase of teams and added precautions around social distancing, hand washing, sanitizing and sterilizing. The team of staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to process orders and pack boxes to meet the demand.

• 

• 

• 

Health and wellbeing is influenced heavily by what and how we eat. The ability to consume food that is nutritional and accessible has become undermined by the intertwining of numerous realities. The reality for many families is that job security has been shaken, and in some cases rendered absent altogether. There are utility payments that still need to be paid. There are growing health care needs amongst those who live in homes with poor insulation. There are those who have isolated themselves in sickness with little to no access to support. While food is a significant need, many families have sorely missed the opportunities for face to face conversations or having someone there to hear their story.

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Auckland Vinnies team recognise that now, more than ever, solidarity, compassion and prayers will be what builds resilience against food insecurity. It is well known amongst the staff and volunteers of SVdP that upholding dignity through meaningful relationships will be key to ensuring that families do not go without during their time of need.

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